After 74 Years, A Bucolic Sanctuary, Shelley's Garden Center, Closes

BRANFORD, CT — Just five days before Gov. Ned Lamont officially asked Nutmeggers to "stay home, stay safe," in March 2020, Patch paid a visit to Shelley's Garden Center on Main Street in Branford. The coronavirus had by then already begun to tighten its grip, and it was soon clear that we'd all be indoors for the foreseeable future, so a plant-shopping trip felt in order.

A reporter looking for some joy to bring home stopped by and was greeted by the owners, the Chambers family, and fresh herbs, towering rosemary plants and pansies and more pansies.

Inside, robust hanging plants and a hot house filled with succulents. It’s too early to plant outside, but bringing a plant inside is perhaps a good idea.

Taylor Chambers-Scussel explained that, "Plants make your home beautiful, and they oxygenate, they’ll bring joy inside.”

Indeed, they did. That day, we learned about Shelley's beginnings. Read that story here.

A routine shopping excursion at the much loved, and always busy, Main Street nursery, we'd often stop and chat with John and Yvette Chambers, and daughters Christiane and Taylor. And buy plants, flowers, herbs.

A year later, Patch would be back, but this time, to check in on the Chambers family after a shoot-out next door.

When the bullets began to fly, the Chambers family, owners of the noted nursery, helped police even as they hid for safety as gunshots rang.

That day in April 2021, a terrifying scene played out. Read that story here.

On that Tuesday in 2021, the bucolic beauty and tranquility that is Shelley’s Garden Center, was shattered when the bullets began to fly. A police standoff in Branford (in 2021) saw one person shot and ended with the suspect dead, officials said. Police had the suspect barricaded inside a second floor apartment for hours.

Since then, a reporter had visited many times to wander among the flowering plants, make purchases, pet the dogs, and chat with John, Taylor, or Yvette.

A Farewell Message

Last week, we learned of the closing of the garden center on April 30, that's been a beloved fixture for 74 years. On Facebook, the family wrote:

"When the matriarch of a 74-year strong family legacy passes away, we are left with little to do, other than reminisce of how it all began here at Shelly's — our own little slice of heaven, on the corner of Main Street."

The Chambers family started the business in a parking lot more than 70 years ago. On their website, it states that "...our family has been providing Branford and the surrounding towns with the best hand-selected plants and supplies we can find. We work with local nurseries to bring you the highest quality options for your lawn and garden."

In its farewell message, the family wrote: "....it is with a heavy heart and much consideration that the Chambers family have decided to close. Although this is such a heart-wrenching decision for us to make, many of our reasons are outside the realm of our control. We would like to thank you, our friends and loyal patrons. We appreciate you, and cherish all of the good years we have had alongside you. We will not forget our years of conversations, while watching your gardens and children grow. You will all be in our hearts, especially over the holiday seasons, and we will not forget the families whose traditions we have helped honor from generation to generation. To say that we cherish our community is an understatement, and this does not make our decision any easier."

"Thank you everyone for all of the good years we have had with you as our grandparents' legacy has grown on the corner of Main Street, in the sweetest little town of Branford. By the grace of God, we will continue to make happy memories!" (You can read the full farewell message here).

Thanks for the memories, Shelley's. And for the black-eyed Susan purchased at the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic, and thriving today.

Editor's note: The story has been updated to include co-owner Christiane. This reporter greatly regrets the editing error.